High drama at Vasai court after man creates ruckus by climbing atop roof

35-year-old perches atop corner of Vasai court's first floor after fleeing the judge's chambers when he's caught recording a conversation

A Mahim resident courted some Bollywood-style drama on Monday evening at the Vasai district sessions court, after a judge caught him allegedly trying to record their conversation. James Thomas Godwin, 35, has been booked and arrested by the Vasai police and will now be produced before the same court and in front of the same judge.

Godwin came down after being persuaded by lawyers and police. Pic/Hanif Patel

According to sources, Godwin entered the court to get a certified copy for a case, but the court staff told him they cannot provide him with it since he is not associated with the case directly or indirectly. Goodwin refused to leave the court and forced the staffers to allow him to meet the judge NB Pradhan.

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Arguing with judge
"When he insisted on meeting the judge, the judicial clerk went to the judge's chamber on the second floor. But Godwin also entered the chamber after him and started arguing with the judge. When the judge was talking to him, he suspected Godwin was recording him and asked him to show his mobile phone," said advocate Digambar Desai, an eyewitness.

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The judge immediately asked for Godwin to be taken into custody, but he managed to flee from his chamber, reach the first floor of the court and sit on the edge of a slab there. Godwin didn't budge for over 20 minutes, but lawyers and the police later managed to get him down. He was later taken to the police station, said another advocate.

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Booked and held
"We have booked and arrested him under Sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code. He will be produced before the court tomorrow [Tuesday]," said senior inspector Anil Mane from Vasai police station.

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